Primal Kitchen Dark Chocolate Almond Collagen Bar
Paleo and collagen enthusiasts who want naturally sweetened bars with minimal sugar
Barebells Cookies & Cream Protein Bar
Taste-first consumers who want the best-tasting high-protein bar and can tolerate sugar alcohols
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Primal Kitchen Dark Chocolate Almond Collagen Bar
Paleo and collagen enthusiasts who want naturally sweetened bars with minimal sugar
Primal Kitchen delivers a clean collagen bar sweetened only with honey and monk fruit. The 3g sugar with 15g protein ratio is strong, and the ingredient list reads like real food. Collagen's incomplete amino acid profile is the main limitation for those seeking complete protein.
Strengths
- Sweetened with honey and monk fruit — zero artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
- Grass-fed bovine collagen provides 15g protein with joint and skin benefits
- Only 3g sugar per bar while maintaining natural, whole-food sweetness
Limitations
- Collagen is not a complete protein — lacks essential amino acid tryptophan
- No major third-party certifications like USDA Organic or NSF
- Premium price at ~$3.00/bar for a collagen-based product
When to Choose Barebells Cookies & Cream Protein Bar
Taste-first consumers who want the best-tasting high-protein bar and can tolerate sugar alcohols
Barebells is arguably the best-tasting protein bar on the market — it genuinely tastes like a candy bar. The 20g protein and 1g sugar macros are excellent. The catch is maltitol in the coating, which dings ingredient purity and sugar profile scores. If you prioritize taste and macros over ingredient purity, Barebells wins.
Strengths
- Exceptional taste that rivals actual candy bars — consistently top-rated for flavor
- 20g whey protein with only 1g sugar makes for an outstanding macro profile
- Swedish-designed with a satisfying chocolate coating and creamy center
Limitations
- Contains maltitol in the chocolate coating — a sugar alcohol that can cause digestive issues
- No USDA Organic, NSF, or other major health-focused certifications
- Ingredient list includes several processed additives beyond the maltitol
